The Marriage Rite is a Sacrament of the Church, a solemn exchange of vows between a bride and a groom, and an act of worship on the part of all those present to offer thanks and praise for God’s blessings on the couple’s life together as husband and wife. Therefore, all music during the wedding liturgy reflects the sacred nature of the ceremony and must be taken from sacred or religious music repertoire.
Music in Catholic worship is a form of sung prayer and must relate to the glory of God and reflect the redeeming grace of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. All music at your wedding ceremony should follow that principle, and your favorite popular music should be reserved for your reception. Music should be planned approximately 2 months before your wedding date. Please contact Stephen Eros, Director of Liturgy and Music, to schedule your planning meeting.
A cantor is required for your wedding liturgy. In addition to singing the parts of the Mass, your cantor may also serve as a vocal soloist for any pieces of music you may want sung before or during the liturgy. If you wish to have a family member or friend serve as the cantor, they must provide a letter from their parish music director stating their abilities and regular participation in parish music ministry. If they are not a regular cantor at their parish, they are welcome to serve as a vocal soloist; a parish cantor will still be required in that situation. Payment for the cantor is due in full 30 days prior to the wedding rehearsal.
If you would like instrumental musicians to participate in your wedding, they must be hired through or in consultation with the Director of Liturgy and Music. We are able to contract some of the finest professional musicians in the area, who are famliar with and have performed at our parish on a regular basis. Please notify the parish office as soon as possibile so we can secure services of the apropriate musicians. Particularly popular are trumpet, violin, harp, a string quartet, or brass ensemble. The fees vary from instrument to instrument. If contracted, payment for these musicians is due in full 30 days prior to the wedding rehearsal.
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Fee Schedule for Weddings
Director of Liturgy and Music – $300, base fee
Congratulations––we are pleased to be participating in the joyful event of your marriage!
Choosing joyful music for your wedding liturgy can add a personal touch to the great celebration of the Sacrament of Marriage. Below is a playlist of instrumental pieces that can add great beauty and festivity to the processional and recessional of the liturgy. These are pieces not often heard at weddings – this is not an exhaustive list by any means!
Using the materials in the Documents menu on the Marriage page, you can fill out the form below in preparation for your meeting with your wedding celebrant–Fr. Jim, Deacon Dennis, Deacon John–or Stephen Eros (Director of Liturgy & Music).
Click the icon in the top right corner to view the selections in the playlist.
You have the option of singing a gathering hymn after the bride has walked down the aisle. A general hymn of praise or a hymn with themes of unity, love, or marriage are great options for this spot in the liturgy. Below are some options from our hymnal. Click the title of each below to hear a recording.
All Creatures of Our God and King #611
For the Beauty of the Earth #633
God In the Planning #970 (Tune: "Be Thou My Vision") No recording available.
Joyful, Joyful, We Adore You #614
Love Divine, All Loves Excelling #641
Love Has Brought Us Here Together #969 (Tune: HYFRYDOL) No recording available.
Now Thank We All Our God #636
Praise to the Lord, the Almighty #616
Praise, My Soul, the King of Heaven #613
***Numbers referenced correspond with our parish hymnal, Gather (blue cover)***
Click the icon in the top right corner to view the selections in the playlist.
Draw Near #935
I Am the Bread of Life #945
One Bread, One Body #932
Panis Angelicus – César Franck (vocal solo)
Taste and See #930
You Satisfy the Hungry Heart #94
***Numbers referenced correspond with our parish hymnal, Gather (blue cover)***